A short distance from my childhood home stands this nine-sided barn – the only barn of its kind remaining in the US. It is one reminder of a rich local history. Named “The Door” by French traders in 1670, La Porte was the Pottawatomie trail head leading through the forest to the
western prairies.
Unlike towns which sprang up helter-skelter out of men's immediate needs, speculators bought land in 1831 and planned the City of La Porte around a small chain of picturesque lakes.
La Porte flourished. The first medical school in the Midwest opened. (One student later founded Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota.) Meinrad Rumely's Oil-Pull Tractor Engine advanced agriculture in the Great Plains area. Other businesses produced everything from food to bicycles and automobiles, affecting the world at large.
As a child I didn't appreciate the “old stuff”, but I was aware of it as I walked the shady maple-lined avenues or sat on grass in the shadow of the courthouse.
Perhaps it was pride passed down like blue eyes from my parents or maybe the land itself infused this young resident with its essence. Whatever it was, I've never wanted to leave. I love it here.
The Door Prairie Barn remains a symbol of my hometown. It's the welcome home sign I look for when I return from traveling. It's a standard of history I show off to guests. For me, La Porte is both childhood home and a door to opportunities, and for the present, I'm happy to be here.
Telling you this bit about myself seemed a proper first posting to The Barn Door. I'm happy to be blogging here. I look forward to sharing love of the Midwest with others. So a hello to all of you.
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13 comments:
Hi, Mary, and we're delighted to have you. Where we have our farm in western Wisconsin, there is a long-standing free black farm community; one of the men built round barns in the mid-1800s, of which there are only two left. That community was part of my incentive for the community in The Map Quilt.
Thanks, Lisa. Barns are interesting and make interesting backdrops for stories. I liked that story.
Welcome, Mary. That barn is SO neat. Love the history and the identity. SO glad to get to know you!
Welcome, Mary! That barn is cool, and I loved hearing about your town.
So nice to have you join us, Mary!
What a nice introduction! I look forward to reading more. I love barns too and that one is great. I grew up near a round barn but I have no idea if it is still around. I hope so.
Welcome, Mary! I'm so pleased that you are now on The Barn Door!
This is such an appropriate post, too! :) I have been to LaPorte to see those sites and love it. The Midwest has great history.
I'm looking forward to all of your posts. Yay!
Thanks for the warm welcome,Joanne, Patty, Prude, and Crystal.
I didn't really realize how great this area was (other than that I liked it) until I worked for the newspaper and had to travel throughout the county gathering feature stories. I was amazed.
Great description! I think many LaPorteans feel the same way!
I love it. Great reading.
Lisa Har man
Mary enjoyed reading about your love for LaPorte. Many people put down small towns and young adults can't wait to get away and experience more of life. Most of what I have enjoyed experiencing, like you, hasn't been the far-away adventures but the journey of being valuable in the lives of our loved ones. You do that very well, not only with your family, but with your friends. I feel blessed to be your friend.
Debbie
Jude thanks for visiting the site.
Thanks for posting Lisa.
Debbie, thank you. I appreciate your friendship, too, which calls to a closer relationship with God.
In response to an inquiry:The contractor is believed to have been E. G. Anderson of La Porte. Marion Ridgway was the owner, a breeder of horses for driving and working and was known for his fine Clydesdale stock from Scotland, English Coach stock, and Norman Draft horses from France. The barn featured pie-shaped stalls around a central hall and second floor grain bins that fed down through built in chutes.
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